Good Morning, Bastrop & Cedar Creek!

Top Story
PetSmart opens early at Bastrop’s Burleson Crossing East

Bastrop pets and their owners have a new spot to shop following the opening of the county’s first PetSmart.

Originally set for a third-quarter opening, the American pet chain retailer opened ahead of schedule.

The overview: PetSmart Bastrop offers a range of food and supplies for animals, ranging from dogs and cats to reptiles and birds. The location also offers walk-in or appointment-based grooming and training services.

Zooming out: PetSmart marks the fourth business to open in the Burleson Crossing East shopping center.

Other businesses now open include:


Construction on another business, Kung Fu Tea, is set for a late June completion.

Learn more: Click here to learn more about Burleson Crossing East and other major Bastrop developments underway.
  • Opened April 18
  • Burleson Crossing East, 655 SH 71 W., Ste. 111, Bastrop
 
Latest News
Austin leaders signal support for $985M resort project at Circuit of the Americas

Austin officials appear supportive of a proposed city incentive for a hotel and convention center project at Circuit of the Americas that could pour hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy.

The details: The potential 30-year economic incentive deal between Austin and RIDA Development would support an estimated $985 million resort project at COTA. RIDA plans to build a 1,000-room hotel and a 170,000-square-foot conference center. The hotel will include dining and bar areas, a golf course and driving range, and a lazy river similar to the Texas-shaped feature at RIDA's Marriott Marquis Houston.

Zooming in: The proposed performance-based incentive wouldn't affect the city's general fund budget or require any upfront public payment. Austin would instead reimburse 8.25% of the room night revenue eventually generated by the hotel after it's in operation and contributing hotel occupancy tax, or HOT, revenue to the city.

What else? In October, Community Impact covered COTA’s amusement park, COTALAND. Expected to be completed this summer, it will span approximately 30 acres with 33 attractions, including:

  • Two high-thrill roller coasters

  • Two family-friendly roller coasters

  • One roller coaster for children ages 3-6

Bastrop officials said the space will create economic opportunities for the city and county, noting that COTA is exploring the use of the Smithville airport for executive travel and increasing its partnership with Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa.
 

YOUR WEEKEND TO-DO LIST

Check out these weekend events across the metro area.

2026 Red Poppy Festival

Eeyore’s Birthday Party

April 24-26, times vary
Georgetown

April 25, 11 a.m.
Austin

More info

More info

 

Austin Blues Festival

Mini-Con 2026

April 25-26
Austin

April 25, 2-5 p.m.
Cedar Park

More info

More info

 
To submit your own event, click here.

CI Texas
ERCOT forecasts quadruple growth in electric demand, warns estimate is likely overinflated

Demand on the Texas power grid could more than quadruple in the next six years, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas announced April 15.

The details: The state grid operator projected that peak electric demand could hit 367,790 megawatts by 2032—more than four times the current demand record of 85,508 megawatts, which was set during an August 2023 heat wave. Much of this forecasted growth is due to data centers, according to ERCOT documents.

However, ERCOT leaders warned that the growth forecast is “preliminary” and needs adjustments.

What's happening: During an April 17 meeting, ERCOT officials told the Public Utility Commission of Texas that they plan to work with utility providers to issue a revised forecast in the coming weeks.

“I think it's clear we need to engage in the process and look at ways to refine this number to something that's more usable,” PUC Chair Thomas Gleeson said.

Stay tuned: ERCOT said it expects peak electric demand on the grid this summer will hit between 90,500-98,000 megawatts, which would shatter the current demand record.

 

Your local team

Amanda Cutshall
Editor

Leslie Bradshaw
General Manager

Email [email protected] for story ideas, tips or questions.

Keep Reading

(512) 989-6808

TERMS OF SERVICE | PRIVACY POLICY

© 2005-2025 Community Impact Newspaper Co. All rights reserved.